BALLON D'OR
Real Madrid star Rodrygo’s outrage after Ballon d’Or non-nomination
Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé are among the Madrid stars nominated, but Rodrygo can’t understand his omission.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo is not among the 30 players nominated to win the Ballon d’Or, and is not at all happy about it.
The Brazilian forward already revealed his indignation at being left off the short list of potential winners after it was announced, uploading a social media post with all the trophies he had won with Los Blancos (along with several laughing emojis, seemingly an expression of his disbelief).
In 2023/24, Real Madrid won LaLiga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup, while they began the new season by lifting the UEFA Super Cup. Teammates Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, Fede Valverde and Vinícius Júnior are all among the nominees, as is Toni Kroos, who left the club and retired from soccer in the summer.
Brazil star: “Everyone knows my outrage”
He has now reiterated his frustration in an interview wit ESPN: “I was upset, I think I deserved it. I don’t want to belittle the players who are there, but I think there was a place for me in the 30. It was a surprise... But there is not much I can do, I am not the one who decides these things.”
Rodrygo says Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team have helped him get over his disappointment. “I put up a somewhat mocking post. Now, there isn’t much to say. Everyone knows my outrage. Everyone has supported me, both in the national team and at Real Madrid. People have sent me lots of messages,” he has revealed.
Rodrygo “bothered” by Real Madrid role
The 23-year-old also hinted that his versatility in attack may be a hinderance, rather than a help.
“Many times, I’m just filling a gap that is missing up front. Is there someone missing there? Put Rodrygo in. Is there someone missing on the right? Rodrygo. Is there someone missing as a number 9? Rodrygo. That’s it. It may bother me a little, but I am a team player,” he concluded.
The Brazilian international was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in the summer, which he himself denied. These latest comments, however, will do little to quash speculation about a possible departure from the Spanish capital in the future.